What Does Vladimir Putin Eat?

As you may have read in the media, Vladimir Putin invited foreign journalists for a dinner-interview at his dacha near Moscow last week. We got the usual report of his highly predictable views on the elections, the opposition, corruption in Russia, the situation in Syria, relationships with the US, etc… But instead of reporting answers that we all already know, wouldn’t it be more interesting to tell us what was served for dinner?

I found little information in the Western press about V.V.P.’s meals, but a Google search in Russian returned a few articles. First, there’s the president’s usual hangout in Saint-Petersburg, where he apparently orders the same dishes lunch after lunch. There are also a couple of records of the dinners that were served to him and George W. Bush during the latter’s visits to Russia. Sadly, no mention of the infamous Vladimir Poutine.

If you’ve had the chance to eat with Vladimir Vladimirovich, or have simply come across an article mentioning a few dishes that were served to him, please write a comment!

George W. Bush and Vladimir Putin take a sunset walk on a pier along the Black Sea in Sochi, April 5, 2008. (White House photo by Eric Draper)

Dinner menu served to Vladimir Putin and George W. Bush at the Sochi dacha in April 2008 (source here)

Venison Filet with Marinated Mushrooms in Raspberry Sauce, Vegetable Salad Blini with Red Caviar and Trout
Veal Tenderloin with Baked Potato in Red Currant Sauce
Salmon and King Crab Coulibiac
Berry Pie with Ice Cream
(The original article also mentions that Bush was served chicken Kiev and cherry varenyky in Kiev earlier that month)

Wow he really does eat good. I couldn’t believe that he is 5’7 and talked about as if he towers over most politicians. I met him once when he came to New York City and he looks around 165 pounds. Nice menu though, sure wish I was rich.